By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo has officially launched a special security outfit, Operation Udo Ga Achi, (Peace Shall Reign) to tackle the menace of kidnappings, violent killings, idolatry, hard drugs, armed robbery, other criminal activities in the state.
Soludo who declared total war against the perpetrators and their collaborators vowed to deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic measures towards ridding the state of bad elements no matter where they hide.
Speaking during the launch of the special security outfit which was followed by the unveiling of over 163 patrol vehicles, 2,000 recruited security personnel and other communication gadgets at the ceremony held at the International Conference Center (ICC), Soludo pledged zero tolerance to crime and criminalities with a view to protecting lives and properties of Anambra residents.
The Governor also unveiled His Royal Highness Igwe Chidubem Iweka of the Obosi Community in Idemili North local government area as the new chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.
He had earlier during the event signed into law the Anambra state Homeland Security (Agunaechemba) bill which was passed into law by members of the state House of Assembly and the reconstitution and appointment of Igwe Chidubem as chairman of the ASTRC.
The governor said that aside from the newly inaugurated Operation Udo Ga Achi, the Agunaechemba security body under the supervision of the Ministry of Homeland Affairs would provide the framework for security within the 179 communities and 21 LGAs in the state.
He further decried the involvement of youths and other citizens of the state in idolatry which according to him has helped in the upsurge of crime and criminalities.
Soludo pledged that his government would pull down any building used by criminal gangs and their collaborators for kidnappings, illicit drug peddling and other heinous crimes.
He also promised to rescue people and residents of volatile communities in Ihiala, Iselle, Orsumuoghu, Lilu, Ebonesie so that peace would return to the areas.
He urged all the stakeholders including town unions and traditional rulers to join hands with the state government, the new security outfit and other security agencies in the task of ridding the state of hoodlums by providing relevant information that will aid the arrest of criminals.
Soludo further promised to offer N10 million to any community amongst the top ten communities listed for violent activities, which comes first to attain zero crime and peace in the next few months, rebuilding of eight divisional police stations burnt gunmen while any whistleblowers with credible information that will lead to arrest of kidnappers in their hideouts will attract N5 million.
He appealed to all the criminal elements, particularly, unknown gunmen and kidnappers, causing havoc across the state to lay down their guns, surrender them and embrace amnesty offered them by the state government, and come forward to register their names for possible integration and empowerment so they can start a new life.
“Now you have another opportunity to repent and reintegrate into the society,” Soludo said.
“Let me remind all of us that security is a collective responsibility of all and should not be left to government alone.”
“The next few months will be tough and turbulent; this is a marabouts race to reclaim the soul of Anambra and the society,” the governor added.
